Learn English – “Help somebody with” vs “Help somebody in”

prepositionsword-choice

In examples like the following, what is the difference between "with" and "in". Although, this is only one example, it would be interesting if someone can explain it in more detail.

I will help you with cooking.

I will help you in cooking.

I searched it online and Google came up with both forms used in different websites.

Best Answer

I am unaware of any hard and fast rule either, but having thought about it and looked at some NGram results showing actual uses, a pattern seemed to emerge.

Help with is used for a concrete thing. Saying "in" in this context would not make sense:

  • I will help you with your program.
  • This will help you with your skin problem.

Help in is often used when there's a verb involved. Saying "with" in this context probably works in most cases but doesn't feel as natural:

  • I will help you in writing your program.
  • This will help you in curing your skin problem.

Help in is also used when the thing in question is more nebulous/abstract. Saying "with" makes sense in the first two examples but not the third, so I'm not sure if there's a general rule here:

  • This will help you in life's journey.
  • This book will help you in a number of areas.
  • I will help you in every way I can.
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